The Dallas Mavericks (0-4) also suffered a clear defeat against the Golden State Warriors (2-2). Despite a very decent performance in the meantime, the Mavs lose 103:133 (BOXSCORE). When the Dubs defensively shift up a gear, Dirk Nowitzki and Co. of penetrating power. Golden State’s shooting out all the lights again.
Just two days after the roaring defeat of the Houston Rockets, it looked as if the Mavs were about to lose out to the reigning champions at the start of the game. In the first section, Golden State scuttled 65 percent of the field and gained an 18-point lead in the meantime.
However, thanks to numerous aggressive penetration attempts, Dallas fought his way back into the game. Led by Wes Matthews (19 points) and J. J. Barea (13 points, 8 assists) the Mavericks shortened the gap to 1 point. Dirk Nowitzki scored 11 points (4/12 FG) and collected 7 rebounds. Maxi Kleber was again only used in the garbage time (2 points, 2 rebounds in 6 minutes).
In the second half, however, the individual class of the Warriors won. The result was a 22-point lead in the middle of the fourth quarter. Golden State was simply and simply more efficient in the offensive than the hosts (GSW: 55.8 percent FG, DAL: 39.6 percent). Dallas had too little to contend with against the Warriors’ Big Four. Steph Curry scored 29 points and 8 assists, Draymond Green narrowly missed the triple double (10 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds). Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson contributed 25 and 21 points respectively.
Mavericks vs. Warriors: Click here for the BOXSCORE!
Steph Curry. Although Curry from the three-line proved to be extremely cold (2/10 threesomes), he still left his mark on the Warriors’ offensive game. The 29-year-old thus acquired 13 free throws, all of which he pocketed. Thanks to good drives, it also stayed perfectly in the two-point range (5/5 FG, a total of 7/15 FG). With 8 assists and 4 steals Curry also made his 6 turnovers forgotten.
Dennis Smith, Jr. After the rookie had to drop out of the last two games with a knee injury, he couldn’t convince during his comeback. The 19-year-old always liked the basket and worked out many trips to the Charity Stripe. However, he left a few points there. Smith Jr. scuttled just 4 of his 10 attempts from the free-throw line, also out of the field was not very much to get (3/11 FG). That’s how Smith Jr. only on 10 points, 1 Assist and 6 Rebounds.
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The Warriors’ game was certainly not perfect. The 15 turnovers do not necessarily speak for Golden State, for example. Nevertheless, Head Coach Steve Kerr managed to motivate his team in the important phases of the game. The defensively, the champion just shifted up a gear in the fourth quarter and only allowed 19 points. The Warriors also often used the Mavs’ unsorted transition defenses at high speed.